A Horrible Accident.
--------
A BLACK RIVER LADY CRUSHED UNDER AN ENGINE.
--------
Tried to Cross the Track on a Wheel ahead of a Moving Engine.
--------
MRS. C. C. SMITH THE VICTIM.
--------
Coroner's Jury Finds That Her Death Was Accidental. No One Blamed.
--------
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Smith of Black River had arranged to go to Killmaster Saturday for the day. They were to take the morning express to Gustin, then across by wheel. Preparation for a pleasant day.
How horribly their plans were disarranged is now known to a majority of the readers of the Review, and seldom indeed have the sensibilities of the people of this community been so rudely shocked as when the horrid details of the awful death of Mrs. Smith became known.
The passenger train had pulled in at the Black River depot. Mr. Smith was already at the station, and Mrs. Smith, somewhat delayed in her preparations, was speeding along the walk on her wheel to catch the train. Her route lay across a spur track leading to the north pier. A yard engine with long projecting reach such as is found on timber train engines, was backing down upon the crossing at the same moment. One report states that the engineer, Wm. Foster, saw Mrs. Smith approaching and recognizing the danger, slowed down for her to pass; at the same moment she seemed to check her speed as if waiting for the engine to pass. Then as if guided by a common impulse and the relentless hand of fate, both started forward, and in less time that it takes to tell it the awful tragedy was completed: the life of Mrs. Smith was blotted out and her family was robbed forever of the light of her countenance and the benefit of her counsel.
The accident is due to the projecting reach which caught the rear wheel of Mrs. Smith's bicycle throwing her to the ground in front of the moving engine. Mrs. Smith threw up her hands and screamed as she realized her awful position. The engineer reversed his engine, but too late. It was stopped in its own length, but there underneath the ponderous trucks, crushed, mangled and bruised, lay the lifeless form of Mrs. Smith, but a moment before buoyant with life and hope.
Engineer Foster was wholly unmanned by the shocking accident and wept like a child, though innocent of blame.
Black River was thrown into a fever of excitement at once. The news spread like wild-fire and a large crowd quickly gathered while the work of extricating the body was in progress. To do this the engine had to be hoisted.
Mr. Smith was at once apprised of the sad tragedy, and friends did what they could to break the force of the calamity that had fallen upon him with crushing weight.
The body was removed to the family residence and the cruel lacerations were attended to by local physicians.
Death came very quickly to the unfortunate woman and her sufferings were of short duration.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the Catholic church, and the funeral and burial service, which occurred Monday, conformed to the service of that church. The interment was at Harrisville.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Smith leaves two boys aged 3 and 13, and 3 girls of 5, 8 and 11 years respectively.
Mr. Smith attached the blame for the accident to the railroad company through its employees. To fix the responsibility, if any existed, it was decided that an inquest must be held, and accordingly Coroner Chas. May was summoned from Harrisville. A. E. Sharpe, attorney for the D. & M. came up from Tawas on a special to look after the company's interest. A jury was impaneled comprising the following six gentlemen. Robt. Larrett, Wm. Houghton, W. R. Smith, Sam Hill, Henry Clinton and J. Rasch. They viewed the body and then as Mr. Smith desired to retain an attorney, as no one could reach Black River until late in the afternoon, it was decided to adjourn the inquest until Tuesday morning.

THE INQUEST.
The inquest disclosed facts considerably at variance with the foregoing which is the current report. While the projecting reach may have blocked Mrs. Smith's way and would be the direct responsible cause of her death if such was the case, yet the evidence is conclusive that the reach did not catch her wheel, but proves that she dismounted before she could have reached it.
H. K. Gustin appeared for Mr. Smith.
Alice McGregor testified: Was on the opposite side of switch track from direction Mrs. Smith was approaching. Saw her coming on wheel. Heard engine coming and watched to see if she would get off wheel. Got excited, noticed nothing further until I saw her under engine. Did not see when or how engine struck her.
Wm. Foster, engineer of No. 17. I was backing down on north pier; had tank on. When reached crossing the fireman said, "stop her as quick as you can." I put on brakes and reversed engine and stopped here quick as possible. I was on west side engine, did not see Mrs. Smith. Was running about 4 miles an hour. When engine stopped Mrs. Smith was under pilot. Engine had to be jacked up to get her out.
Chas. Neubert, fireman on No. 17. I was ringing bell as we approached crossing. Was facing east, saw Mrs. Smith coming on wheel rapidly, told engineer to stop engine when I saw she intended to cross. She was then about 20 feet from track, and tank of engine was just going on plank in road. She was still on wheel when she passed out of sight behind tank. Did not see when she was struck, did not see her look toward engine, she was going faster than engine. Saw bicycle as engine passed over it.
Ray Beede, aged 12. Saw accident. Was on walk east of track. Mrs. Smith rang bell and passed on wheel. Engine was coming and I thought she would jump off, but she kept on and dismounted on the track on left side of wheel towards engine and was on her feet when she was struck; her feet caught under engine; then I saw her under engine. She was on side of reach toward me; she threw up her hands to catch something and screamed; she nearly caught the chain with one hand. Heard engine bell ringing and saw fireman in window. Reach did not strike bicycle.
Peter La Flame, aged 17, and Peter Lassard, aged 15, also saw the accident and their testimony corroborated that of Beede.
The jury returned a verdict that death was accidental and attached no blame to anyone.